What does the reticular thalamus do?
Its function is modulatory on signals going through thalamus (and the reticular nucleus). It has been suggested that the reticular nucleus receives afferent input from the reticular formation and in turn projects to the other thalamic nuclei, regulating the flow of information through these to the cortex.
What is the reticular nucleus of the thalamus?
Background: The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a shell-shaped gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic nucleus, which is uniquely placed between the thalamus and the cortex, because it receives excitatory afferents from both cortical and thalamic neurons and sends inhibitory projections to all nuclei of the dorsal …
What is the thalamic pathway?
The thalamus is connected to the cerebral cortex via the thalamocortical radiations. The spinothalamic tract is a sensory pathway originating in the spinal cord. It transmits information to the thalamus about pain, temperature, itch and crude touch.
What two main brain pathways is the thalamus involved in?
The thalamus is a structure at the center of each cerebral hemisphere which is a relay for sensory pathways, and for brain stem, cerebellar, and subcortical pathways to the cortex, as well as a relay between different cortical areas.
What does reticular formation do?
Reticular formation circuitry helps to coordinate the activity of neurons in these cranial nerve nuclei, and thus is involved in the regulation of simple motor behaviors. For example, reticular formation neurons in the medulla facilitate motor activity associated with the vagus nerve.
What are the functions of the brainstem thalamus reticular formation and cerebellum?
The thalamus, sitting above the brainstem, acts as the brain’s sensory switchboard. The cerebellum, attached to the rear of the brainstem, coordinates muscle movement and balance and also helps process sensory information.